Taking the blue pill

I previously blogged about breaking rules and why it should be a skill we all learn and perfect.

In this post I’d like to present the counterpoint to my previous argument. Today I shall be arguing why rule breaking is a bad thing.

Breaking rules puts you on the outside. It excludes you from the ruler-maker’s club. This makes it tough for you to influence that club. For throwing small stones from the outside can be tough when the windows are reinforced. Pebbles are useless, you need boulders. And you probably don’t have boulders.

Instead of futile pebble throwing, work out how to get on the inside. Work out how to infiltrate the system, and then influence it from the inside - this can be much more effective.

Bide your time, hold your tongue. Hide your opinions when they are strong. Keep yourself to yourself until you’re on the inside. Don’t give your hand away. Have patience.

Breaking rules can have the effect of offending the rule makers. It puts their backs up. People who might otherwise have supported you might turn away - making it more difficult to influence them.

Showing anger or emotion can be a sign of weakness. It can be used against you - “he’s unstable, he’s letting his emotions get away with him”. Better not to display that anger, so you appear reasonable. The rule makers love reasonable people, people who don’t threaten their position.

Rule breaking is also the more difficult path personally. You’ll have a tough time, feel on the outside, feel not one of the club. That can be tough emotionally. Sometimes it's better to play the system to get on.

Gaining influence and position is the objective. For without influence and position it’s hard to change things. This is why politicians sometimes compromise their principles in order to broaden their support - for a politician can only really change things if they get elected. To be elected on a manifesto of doing half what you would like, is better than not to be elected at all.

Once you’ve become elected or gained entry to the rule maker’s club, that’s when you can start changing things. Perhaps. Maybe you’ll just bide your time a little more to consolidate your position. You’re a new girl/boy in the club, after all - it would not be prudent to make a noise until your support is broad. Perhaps you can make some small changes whilst you prove yourself. Next year might be the time to do something more dramatic. Perhaps.

Do you still want to take the red pill? Perhaps the blue one is looking more attractive? Does the blue pill feel like you’re selling out? Or maybe you feel you can manage the conflicts associated with it? Maybe the blue pill is the way to get things done? Life is complicated.